ENGEN Pitch & Polish is a lateral thinking national workshop and competition designed to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to “polish” their “pitch”, to equip them with the tools to pitch for funding in order to advance their business or business idea. 2013 marks the fourth year for this annual programme which has grown year on year.

The programme features five distinct stages: Round 1, Round 2, SAfm Wild Card, Semi-Final and Final. Leading up to the Semi-Final is a summary below:

Round 1:

Round 1, held in Port Elizabeth, Wentworth, Kimberley, Athlone and Vereeniging was attended by over 800 participants who collectively benefit from this unique business training platform. In this elimination round 15 contestants out of 25 went through to Round 2.

Contestants to Round 2 from the Port Elizabeth event:

•Samantha Conway – healthy cakes and nutritious treats

•Pumeza Ngcongca – aloe harvesting

•Mbulelo Nofemela – hair salon business

Contestants to Round 2 from the Wentworth event:

•Nhlakanipho Shange – advertising system for public transport

•Trinelle Wood – custom made boat cushions, headboards and linen

•Felicia Mshololo – construction and renovation

Contestants to Round 2 from the Kimberley event:

•Thabiso Mathibedi - event hire company

•Morena Mohale - business solutions company

•Joy Boraine - property evaluations

Contestants to Round 2 from the Athlone event:

•Mark Calvert – low cost housing

•Sizwe Nzima – bicycle courier service

•Justin van der Walt – refurbishing of computers and e-waste

Contestants to Round 2 from the Vereeniging event:

•Eric Tsubella - manufacture of trailers, caravans, homes 

•Grace Telane - fitness and health club

•Mmabje Maila - beaded earphones

Round 2:

In Round 2, the winners from Round 1 travel to compete in three cities, where over 500 people participate as audience members and learn the value of a well-rounded, concise and articulate pitch. As in Round 1, all delegates receive a hand-out on how to structure their business pitch. Armed with knowledge they will be better equipped to build their businesses. In this round, some contestants fly and stay in hotels for the first time and experience South Africa through eyes of wonderment and excitement. This year Bloemfontein, Phalaborwa and eMalahleni were chosen as Round 2 cities. In this elimination round 6 contestants out of the 15 proceed to the Semi-Final.

Contestants through to Semi-Final from the Bloemfontein event:

•Felicia Mshololo – construction and renovation

•Samantha Conway – healthy cake and nutritious treats

Contestants through to Semi-Final from the Phalaborwa event:

•Mark Calvert – low cost housing

•Justin van der Walt – refurbishing of computers and e-waste

Contestants through to Semi-Final from the eMalahleni event:

•Nhlakanipho Shange – advertising system for public transport

•Sizwe Nzima – bicycle courier service

SAfm Wild Card – 4 weeks duration:

Since inception in 2010, SAfm has been the national media partner for Pitch & Polish as they believe in developing entrepreneurial activity at every level. Radio is an accessible means to give anyone in the country the opportunity to pitch their business or idea and to learn how to convey a clear and coherent pitch. Contestants are pre-selected based on their online application and telephonically pitch live on-air, with studio judges giving feedback. Three on-air rounds, conclude with the final, where a contestant from each previous week is flown or shuttled into the studio to pitch in front of the judges, SAfm presenter, studio audience and listeners. The winner of the SAfm Wild Card goes straight through to the Semi-Final. This leg of the programme affords any individual in the country the opportunity to enter.

Contestant through to Semi-Final from the SAfm Wild Card event:

•Roland Jordaan - processing Arabica coffee in Eastern Cape sourced from rural farms

Semi-Final (12 September):

The Semi-Final is held in Johannesburg at the Raizcorp offices where expert guides spend the day with contestants to further deepen their business knowledge and perfect the pitches. The now 7 contestants compete by pitching for three minutes to judges and a select audience. 3 contestants move forward to the Final. 

The ENGEN Pitch & Polish 2013 Semi-Final contestants are:

1.Mark Calvert

2.Samantha Conway

3.Roland Jordaan

4.Felicia Mshololo

5.Sizwe Nzima

6.Nhlakanipho Shange

7.Justin van der Walt

Final (19 September):

The programme culminates in an exclusive and prestigious event, held in Johannesburg. The final 3 contestants are once again flown or shuttled in, to deliver their practised pitch. Judges are selected based on their wide business experience. Each contestant walks away with cash prizes, a wealth of knowledge and tools, with the potential to create a meaningful impact within the community they operate.

There is always magic that happens at the final event as the invited entrepreneurial guests reach out to the contestants to offer a myriad of resources to help catapult the individual to greater success. The 2010 winner, Ntombenhle Khathwane from Nelspruit, was offered funding and a USA mentorship at the final event. Since winning in 2011, Annah Lelimo’s Welkom bakery business has grown by 600%, which she attributes to the skills learnt through Pitch & Polish. Criytone Revanewako from eMalahleni, the 2012 winner has secured 100% funding through opportunities opening after the final event.

ENGEN Pitch & Polish’s power is in the pitch which produces a ripple-effect of growth and success for those who believe in being part of tomorrow’s leaders.